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EV Charging and Fire Safety: Why Your FRA Needs an Urgent Update.

11th February 2026

The rapid adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has introduced a necessary, yet complex, challenge for property owners and facilities managers: integrating EV charging infrastructure while maintaining absolute fire safety compliance. The installation of EV charging points, particularly in enclosed spaces like car parks and residential garages, fundamentally alters the risk profile of a building, demanding a specific and thorough update to the Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) methodology.

It is no longer sufficient to treat EV charging points as standard electrical installations. Compliance requires a specialised understanding of both the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and the principles of fire safety defined under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). Failure to account for the unique fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and charging equipment can lead to catastrophic consequences and severe liability exposure for the Responsible Person.

Why EV Charging is a Unique Fire Risk

The fire risks associated with EV charging points are distinct from traditional electrical faults, primarily due to thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. Key concerns include:

  1. High Heat Release Rate: EV battery fires generate significantly more heat than conventional fires, potentially overwhelming standard building ventilation and fire suppression systems.
  2. Toxic Fumes: Burning lithium-ion batteries release highly toxic and dense smoke, increasing the risk to occupants and hindering evacuation.
  3. Duration and Containment: These fires can be extremely difficult to extinguish, often requiring vast quantities of water and specialised containment measures.

Because of these factors, the FRA methodology must now extend beyond general ignition sources to include specific preventative and mitigation measures related to charging point location, design, and management.

Integrating Electrical Standards (BS 7671) into the FRA

The installation of EV charging points must strictly adhere to the requirements of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671), specifically relevant sections on specialised installations (such as Section 722).

A competent FRA must confirm:

  • Cable Routing and Containment: Cables must not compromise fire compartmentation. If cables penetrate fire-rated walls or floors, certified fire stopping must be expertly installed to maintain integrity.
  • RCD Protection and Isolation: Correct residual current device (RCD) protection and clearly accessible isolation points are essential for reducing electrical fault risk.
  • Ventilation: In enclosed car parks, the FRA must assess if existing ventilation is adequate to manage the significant heat and smoke generated by a thermal runaway event.

Our expert Fire Risk Assessors work closely with our certified electrical compliance teams, ensuring the technical installation data from BS 7671 is accurately integrated into the overall fire risk management plan.

Essential Mitigation and Compartmentation Measures

To satisfy the RRO and mitigate the new risks introduced by EV charging, the Responsible Person must prioritise specific mitigation steps:

  • Location and Separation: Assessors must evaluate whether the charging points are located away from critical escape routes, dry/wet risers, and densely occupied areas. Separation distances are crucial.
  • Passive Fire Protection: The area surrounding charging points must have impeccable fire compartmentation. Any breach in fire-rated walls or floors near the installation zone, especially in multi-story car parks, must be sealed immediately by certified professionals to prevent rapid fire spread.
  • Signage and Management: Clear signage must warn users of the unique fire risks, and management procedures must be in place for incident reporting and response.

Secure Your Compliance

The addition of EV charging infrastructure necessitates a substantive review of your Fire Risk Assessment. Relying on an outdated FRA is a major legal risk under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Fire Stoppers provides specialist FRAs that integrate the latest technical requirements from BS 7671 and the IET regulations, giving you a full, auditable compliance solution.

Ensure your EV infrastructure is safe and compliant. Contact Fire Stoppers for an updated Fire Risk Assessment consultation today.